Law Summary
Fundamental Objectives in Rice Management
- Ensure adequate rice supply to meet national needs.
- Ensure the efficient and cost-effective distribution of rice to those who need it most.
- Prevent price gouging and exploitation by unscrupulous traders through vigilant enforcement.
Measures to Ensure Rice Supply
- Engage internationally with major rice-exporting countries such as Thailand and Vietnam to increase the national rice security stock.
- Implement the Philippine Productivity Rice Master Plan immediately to boost rice production.
- Direct Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) such as the Land Bank of the Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, and Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) to provide credit facilities to farmers and farmers' organizations to increase rice production.
- Authorize these financial institutions to empower the Secretary of Agriculture or their representative to manage these credit facilities.
- Enter into Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) with local government units, government financial and private institutions to address rice supply shortages and mitigate effects of costly oil-based inputs through rationalized financing schemes for farmers.
Rice Distribution Strategy
- Coordinate rice distribution through non-traditional channels such as churches and faith-based organizations.
- Utilize schools as distribution points to ensure rice reaches vulnerable populations.
- Utilize the government's existing network for rice distribution to maximize reach and efficiency.
Enforcement Against Price Gouging
- Establish and assist a Task Force on Rice Enforcement under the Secretary of Agriculture’s oversight.
- Impose strict sanctions against traders caught price gouging or exploiting the rice shortage, enforcing penalties to the fullest extent of existing laws.
Funding and Cost-Sharing Arrangements
- Costs related to rice management shall be borne by relevant Executive Department agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, and government financial institutions.
- Funding responsibilities will be distributed according to each entity’s mandate and role, or as mutually agreed upon among them.
Immediate Effectivity
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately upon issuance to promptly address the rice shortage crisis.